Revised April, 2008
INTRODUCTION
The following is presented on behalf of, and for the benefit
of, the Association on Higher Education And Disability
(AHEAD) to provide a public frame of reference and planning
tool for the short-, mid-, and long-term goals of the Association.
In the spring of 2004, the Board of Directors adopted
a mission statement for AHEAD and created a three-year
strategic
plan focused on the priorities of the Association at the
time. Through careful planning and implementation, the
majority of goals and objectives outlined in that document
have been achieved. Therefore, the Board of Directors has
concluded that it is in the Association’s best interest
to invest in thoughtful revision and visionary development
of a new strategic planning initiative to guide AHEAD in
its continuing growth.
In March 2008, following careful review of the progress
made under the 2004 plan, the Board spent considerable
time in the creation of a new Strategic Plan. Presented
here is the framework under which AHEAD will direct its
resources and attention as the Association serves as
the leading voice of professionals who work in the field
of
disability in higher education. The following strategic
priorities, goals and objectives are framed by three
core components which represent the overarching philosophical
and intellectual constructs under which AHEAD serves:
its
vision, mission and values.
AHEAD is committed to serving its members and the broader
stakeholder groups that are integral to higher education
and disability through active leadership,
quality products and services, forthright representation, collaborative advocacy,
and optimally effective stewardship of resources.
CORE PRINCIPLES.
The following Vision, Mission and Values
statements articulate the cornerstones that direct and
shape all
of the Association’s work.
- The Vision provides
the ultimate organizational direction;
- The Mission provides
clarity of understanding regarding organizational definition;
and
- The Values provide the Association’s
unique lens of essential belief.
While each is of equal and unique importance, they provide
the clearest direction, understanding and impact when viewed
as a whole.
AHEAD’s Vision:
AHEAD envisions educational and societal environments that
value disability and embody equality of opportunity.
AHEAD’s Mission:
AHEAD is the premiere professional association committed
to full participation of persons with disabilities in postsecondary
education. As an international resource, AHEAD:
- values diversity, personal growth and development,
and creativity
- promotes leadership and exemplary practices
- provides professional development and disseminates
information
- orchestrates resources
through partnership and collaboration
AHEAD dynamically addresses current and emerging issues
with respect to disability, education, and accessibility
to achieve universal access.
AHEAD values:
- Philosophy, thinking, and paradigms that view
disability as the interaction between person and environment
- Diversity
within all aspects of the Association;
- Equitable, sustainable, and usable postsecondary environments;
- Professionals who respect and nourish student autonomy
and work as allies to design inclusive communities;
and
- Organizational strength
that sustains essential resources and supports growth.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
In pursuit of the vision, working within the mission,
and guided by its core values, AHEAD will pursue five
areas of vitality and growth. Crafted to direct flexible,
informed, and dynamic impact and success, the five major
areas of concentration include:
- Organizational
identity,
- National and global leadership,
- Infusion of diversity,
- Professional development,
and
- Resource provision.
The following five goals and their supporting objectives
provide the ideological and intentional framework that
will support the Association’s ensuing work.
Goal I: The promotion of a dynamic, healthy organization
- To continually explore
and develop new services, markets, and resources to
further AHEAD’s mission
- To continue to diversify
and expand sources of revenue
- To expand visibility,
public awareness and political capital
- To increase
market prominence and penetration
- To capitalize on
the expertise of members and identify and develop emerging
leaders
- To model good business practices, governmental
excellence, and operational transparency
Goal II: The provision of leadership in national and
global arenas as it relates to higher education
- To continually assess, evaluate and refine
the Association’s
effectiveness as a national and international leader
in issues of disability in higher education
- To engage
in meaningful and innovative research that informs
the continuing development of disability services
in higher education
- To anticipate and address emerging
issues related to access to higher education
- To define
and refine the understanding of the skills, knowledge,
and abilities needed to be successful in
the variety of roles represented by disability service professionals
- To create
and disseminate relevant best practice models
- To influence legislative agendas in ways that are
consistent with AHEAD’s vision and mission
- To
articulate and promote a respectful and empowering
philosophy of disability
- To be present and visible
in strategic venues where actions and policies are
shaped
- To model optimal policies and practices related
to issues of disability
Goal III: The deliberate and consistent infusion of
diversity into all aspects of the Association
- To actively strive to understand and value
the unique identities represented within the membership,
higher
education, and society
- To engage in discourse related
to, and provide multiple forums for, members to express
various aspects of
their identities
- To explore the intersection of disability and diversity
- To create and disseminate models of best practice
related to issues of diversity, disability and higher
education
- To promote membership representation from
a broad range of postsecondary education institutional
types
and professional stakeholder groups
- To provide opportunities for professional
development that will increase knowledge and skills
requisite
to working with diverse student populations
GOAL IV: The provision and support of varied
professional development opportunities to enhance members’ knowledge,
skills, and abilities
- To conduct needs assessment to continually
refine and enhance professional development opportunities
and preferred
delivery methods
- To infuse and promote progressive
conceptualizations of disability and disability services
in all professional
development activities
- To develop and deliver professional
development and training activities in a variety of
formats to maximize accessibility,
affordability and effectiveness
- To offer, at a minimum,
national, regional and audio conferences, Internet-based
trainings, and individual
consultation and support
- To expand the professional
identity, leadership skills, and influence of members
- To provide networking and mentoring opportunities
- To collaborate with national and international organizations
and institutions to increase professional development
opportunities and AHEAD’s sphere of influence
GOAL V: The creation, dissemination, and provision of
current, high-quality resources addressing disability
and higher education
- To identify and create resources that meet
the current and future needs and development of members,
related
stakeholder constituencies, allied organizations,
and public service proponents
- To challenge the membership
and evolve the field through the creation and distribution
of professional materials
that represent the leading edge in service delivery
- To produce and disseminate a growing variety of
high-quality publications for sale
- To publish a scholarly,
professional journal quarterly
- To publish bi-monthly,
electronic newsletters that include timely topics and
challenge the membership with cutting-edge
articles
- To develop and expand an effective Website
that offers ready access to necessary information as
a member
benefit
- To sponsor and guide research that expands capacity
through the creation and evaluation of knowledge and
practice
- To serve as a clearinghouse for resources
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